A comparison of common methods for static, semi-dynamic, and dynamic balance assessmentin 12 to 15year old girls with different somatotypes

Background and aim: Assuming the effect of anthropometric characteristics on balance, the purpose of the present research is to compare common balance assessment tests in 12- to 15year old girls with different somatotypes. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 45 junior high school students who were divided into an ectomorph group(age = 13.43 ± 0.80; height = 161 ± 4.17 cm; weight = 42.40 ± 3.69 kg), a mesomorph group (age = 13.26 ± 1.15; height = 157 ± 7.6 cm; weight = 55.46 ± 7.29 kg), and an endomorph group (age = 13.36 ± 0.94; height = 160 ± 4.08 cm; weight = 76.63 ± 7.62 kg).Balance was assessed using static (Balance Error Scoring System,Romberg Test, Sharpened Romberg Test, Stork Balance Test, and AngelBalance Test), semi-dynamic (Star Excursion Balance Test), dynamic (Timed Get Up and Go Test and Tandem Walk Test), and general (Total Balance Test) balance tests.which was significant (p< 0.05) KolmogorovSmirnov test was used to examine the normal distribution of data, and descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that BESS (on stable and unstable surfaces), Stork Balance Test, AngelBalance Test (on stable surface, with the eyes open, and on the non-dominant leg), SEBT (in anterior and anterolateral directions), Tandem Walk, and the Path 1 of the Total Balance Test are not affected by somatotype. Therefore, these tests can be used for measuring balance in people with any somatotype. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that Romberg Test, Sharpened Romberg Test, Angel BalanceTest(except on stable surface, with open eyes, and on the non-dominant leg), SEBT (except in anterior and anterolateral directions), Gait Time, and Path 2 of the Total Balance Test are affected by somatotype.